Apparently my pick for Washington/Atlanta did make its way into the Week 4 picks, so I voided that game to avoid any discrepancy. Week 4 was another get right week; posting 10 correct picks and a … TIE
(thanks a lot Green Bay). Week 5 will feature the first week in which we have teams on a bye week, four of them to be exact. So here are my picks for the Week 5 slate…
Week 4 picks: 10-4-1, Cumulative picks: 39-23-1
Week 5 Matchups & Predictions
(Thursday) San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 PM EST
First place for the NFC West is on the line between two franchises that hate each other. Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay. The two have battled every matchup since they were named Head Coaches in 2017. I don’t expect this game to be anything less.
Because of the nature of the division clash, I still expect it to be close with Shanahan finding ways to scheme Pearsall open against an underwhelming Rams cornerback room.
But, the 49ers are nursing injuries and that makes them more vulnerable. Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3. Brock Purdy reaggravated his turf toe. George Kittle is working through a hamstring injury. This should be a win by all accounts and purposes for the Rams. And the Rams have a dangerous thing called … PUKA.
Pick: Rams win 24-20
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns (Tottenham, England) 9:30 AM EST
I actually see a possibility of Cleveland winning this game. Minnesota could be feeling the effects of international travel. And the Browns do have a run game & defensive front to pressure Wentz.
But, there is too much quarterback uncertainty for Cleveland to the point that Shadeur Sanders is an option. Yikes.
Pick: Vikings win 27-17
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM EST
Is Lamar Jackson healthy? Reports are saying he will miss 2-3 weeks. The 1-3 Texans will take the advantage and find a win on the road despite a slow start to 2025.
Pick: Texans win 24-16
New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM EST
Jaxson Dart will have rookie moments but he is an upgrade over Russell Wilson any way that you spin it. What made have been ignored was how well the Giants defense played against Justin Herbert and company…
Pick: Giants win 20-17
Denver Broncos @ Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 PM EST
As much as I want to believe the Broncos will pull off the upset against an overrated Eagles offense, I’m not sure I can with Bo Nix traveling into Philadelphia. If it was at Mile High, then maybe I pull the trigger.
The Eagles may be 4-0 but they won’t be able to continue to remain unbeaten if they have to rely on special teams touchdowns, endure the AJ Brown drama, and Jalen Hurts missing throws throughout a half. Sure, the Eagles have the opportunity to play better, but so do other teams…
In this game, the Denver secondary will shut down any passing threat but Barkley may get free one too many times…
Pick: Eagles win 28-20
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets, 1:00 PM EST
The Cowboys offense is actually top 10. However, the Cowboys defense is right next to Baltimore for worst in the NFL. Fortunately, the Jets defense under Aaron Glenn is also really bad.
Pick: Cowboys win 31-27
Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 PM EST
The Colts have a good squad. Indianapolis should have leaned into their running game more to neutralize the Rams pass rush. If Daniel Jones can manage the game, they have a shot to win.
Pick: Colts win 26-20
Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers, 1:00 PM EST
I’m just going to go with the home team on this one since neither franchise has won on the road this year (0-5 collectively).
Pick: Panthers win 23-14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 PM EST
Will Mike Evans be healthy? Without him in the lineup, the Bucs offense looked sluggish.
I’ll take the better defense with Mike Macdonald’s defense being a serious threat around the league.
Pick: Seahawks win 27-20
Tennessee Titans @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM EST
This could be an upset game. But I have to believe that Arizona with 9 days to prepare will have a good enough game plan to win at home.
Pick: Cardinals win 23-12
Washington Commanders @ Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 PM EST
This should be a good afternoon game between Daniels and Herbert. Washington has had to deal with a bunch of injuries in the first quarter of the season. I’ll take Herbert at home and the offense relies on a big game from Omarion Hampton.
Pick: Chargers win 26-20
Detroit Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 PM EST
The claws will be out. But this game will go to Detroit with Joe Burrow ruled out for a few more months. Expect Detroit to break out some trickery.
Pick: Lions win 31-13
(Sunday Night Football) New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills, 8:20 PM EST
Maybe since it’s a primetime game, the Patriots will keep it closer. But maybe Josh Allen shines brighter with the spotlight on him. I’ll take the reigning MVP at home against the division rival.
Pick: Bills win 30-20
(Monday Night Football) Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 PM EST
The Jaguars have the no. 5 ranked defense and are thriving under Liam Coen. But the Chiefs offensive line has responded over the last two weeks. Patrick Mahomes was able to get Xavier Worthy back in Week 4, while Rashee Rice’s return is imminent. Look out. The Chiefs could be rolling again soon.
Pick: Chiefs win 29-27
Teams on Bye: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
